Let's focus on the positive: Clean up, fix up Columbia

Tuesday

Oct 29, 2013 at 11:17 AM

After just reading Mike Bennett’s (Oct. 16) commentary, I agree with his assessment of the YMCA’s closing as a time of reflection to see "what is going on economically, and begin to do something about it."

After just reading Mike Bennett’s (Oct. 16) commentary, I agree with his assessment of the YMCA’s closing as a time of reflection to see "what is going on economically, and begin to do something about it."

However, he goes on to point out all the negatives of Maury County. While these issues may be true, the "begin to do something about it" would be a better emphasis than "Does this sound like a place where you want to move, to work, play, and educate your children"?

To that question, I say yes. I have lived in Memphis, Tenn.,; Santa Barbara, Calif.; Seattle, Wash.; Des Moines, Iowa; Dickson, Tenn; and Columbia twice. While I enjoyed every place I lived for different reasons, I find as someone stated to me that Columbia is like "Mayberry."

Many visitors from all around the country have enjoyed coming to this small-town environment with friendly people. The surrounding beauty is unsurpassable. The Duck River is the most biodiverse river in the world. The downtown area is unique with its architecture. Maury County is known for its beautiful homes. It has a scenic Riverwalk, great small businesses with people who take time to talk to you.

Mr. Bennett should go to Square Market Cafe, Puckett’s, the Old Curiosity Bookshop, Pie Sensations, Variety Record Lounge shop, Wall Candy art and frame shop, Lily Jane’s boutique, the Polk House, the Maury County Chamber of Commerce, Maury County Regional Hospital, etc. On and on and on the people in each of these places will take the time to talk to you and give you a smile. That in and of itself is unique in today’s world.

Rather than focusing and getting stuck on the negatives, let’s look at all of the assets Columbia has. The parks are beautiful. The churches are architecturally unique as well as a foundation for this community. I have been a teacher in the school system and the teachers here work extremely hard. Yes, Columbia is economically challenged and has its problems. What city does not? So, the challenge is to look for solutions.

First, the city of Columbia must become aware of its assets and be proud of them. While there is much beauty in Columbia and the surrounding area, there is much that needs to be cleaned up, painted up and fixed up.

When I was growing up in Memphis, there was a Clean Up, Paint Up, Fix Up Week. I suggest a Clean Up, Paint Up, Fix Up Year for Columbia.

Note that Memphis, which has both very wealthy and very poor people, won the Most Beautiful City of the Year award repeatedly during that time.

So, Columbia, the challenge is to get the community together to make it better. Stop the mega dump. Don’t mar Maury County. Instead let’s focus on beautifying this unique place, making the educational system better, bringing the community together, blacks, whites, Hispanics, etc. Celebrate the uniqueness of this culture. Get the mall up and going with new businesses, and support the businesses here rather than going to Spring Hill or Cool Springs Mall.

Support our community college and even look at making it a university. Attract young people and visitors. Make Columbia a place where young people want to stay. Teach the children to appreciate this place and give them skills to reconstruct falling down buildings.

What about a skate park for young people? Incentives to rebuild local neighborhoods? Create jobs locally for the unemployed and for the youth. Have a dog park. Rails to Trails bicycling trails around the city. Support and promote the Farmers Market. Plan for growth. More 5k runs.

Get leaders with a vision. Open mic night around the square for poetry and singing. Bring in bands around the square regularly. Plant flowers, fix and paint up the corridors that are the entry way into the city. Bring back the sign: "Old South Charm, New South Progress."

Columbia has lost sight of both of these attributes. I know churches are doing a lot to help rebuild inner Columbia, but there should be an umbrella group for all of us to help each other. Since the Y is closing, maybe it could turn into a community center.

All of this is just brainstorming, but maybe it’s a start to turn things around and look with the vision toward the future. In conclusion, I say hats off to all the people that have made Columbia what it is today and to all the visionaries that will make Columbia what it will become tomorrow. To all of us, let’s remember Columbia’s motto and bring it back to life: "Old South Charm, New South Progress."